South Union Elementary School
South Union Elementary School serves 494 students in grades Prekindergarten-5.
South Union Elementary School placed in the bottom 50% of all schools in Iowa for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%) for the 2017-18 school year.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 46% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 76%) for the 2017-18 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 45% (which is lower than the Iowa state average of 74%) for the 2017-18 school year.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the Iowa state level of 14:1.
Minority enrollment is 60% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Black), which is higher than the Iowa state average of 24% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Top Placements
South Union Elementary School places among the top 20% of public schools in Iowa for:
- Category Attribute
- Diversity Most diverse schools (Top 5%)
- Percent Eligible For Free Lunch Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 5%)
School Overview
South Union Elementary School's student population of 494 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 37 teachers has declined by 5% over five school years.
| Grades Offered | Grades Prekindergarten-5 |
| Total Students | 494 students |
| |
| Gender % |
|
| Total Classroom Teachers | 37 teachers |
| |
| Students by Grade |
|
School Comparison
South Union Elementary School is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 1,232 schools in Iowa (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2017-18 school year.
The diversity score of South Union Elementary School is 0.74, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.41. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
| Definition of Terms 2017-2018 School Year Data | This School | State Level (IA) |
Overall Testing Rank | #1203 out of 1232 schools (Bottom 50%) | |
| ||
Math Test Scores (% Proficient) | 46% | 76% |
| ||
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient) | 45% | 74% |
| ||
| Student : Teacher Ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 |
| ||
| American Indian | n/a | n/a |
| Asian | 11% | 3% |
| Hispanic | 26% | 11% |
| Black | 17% | 6% |
| White | 40% | 76% |
| Hawaiian | n/a | n/a |
| Two or more races | 6% | 4% |
| All Ethnic Groups |
|
|
Diversity Score | 0.74 | 0.41 |
| ||
| Eligible for Free Lunch | 76% | 33% |
| Eligible for Reduced Lunch | 12% | 7% |
| School Statewide Testing | View Education Department Test Scores | |
| School District Name | Des Moines Independent Community School District | |
Source: 2017-2018 (latest school year available) NCES, IA Dept. of Education
Nearby Public Schools
The nearest high school, middle school and elementary school to South Union Elementary School is Orchard Place School (0.9 miles away)
Show me:
- School (Math and Reading Proficiency) Location Miles Grades Students
- Des Moines Jessie Franklin Taylor Grades: PK | 249 students
0.8 miles
1801 16th Street
Des Moines, IA 50314
(515) 242-8424 0.8 PK 249 - Des Moines Mitchell Early Childhood Center Grades: PK | 393 students
0.8 miles
111 Porter
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 242-8424 0.8 PK 393 - Des Moines Orchard Place School Grades: K-12 | 85 students
0.9 miles
5412 Sw 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 287-9700 0.9 K-12 85 - Des Moines Park Ave Elementary School Math: 52% | Reading: 55%Rank:1/Bottom 50% Grades: PK-5 | 431 students10
0.9 miles
3141 Sw 9th St
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8429 0.9 PK-5 431 - Des Moines Lovejoy Elementary School Math: 40-44% | Reading: 40-44%Rank:1/Bottom 50% Grades: PK-5 | 394 students10
1.0 miles
801 E Kenyon Ave
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 242-8419 1 PK-5 394
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